Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper of Jesus Christ:

Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper of Jesus Christ:October 5, 2014joanneholstein

Jesus spent Thursday with His disciples anticipating sharing the Passover meal with them. In the evening Jesus observed the traditional meal with His disciples and interpreted the wine and bread in light of His impending death. Later in the evening, Jesus retired with His disciples to the Mount of Olives and a place called Gethsemane, where He engaged in fervent prayer. Here Judas betrayed Jesus to temple authorities who placed Jesus under arrest. Jesus is put on trial late Thursday night into early Friday. Jesus was taken into Jerusalem to the house of Joseph Caiaphas, the high priest, for an initial hearing before Caiaphas. We also see the Peter deny Jesus three times as was predicted.

Matthew 26:17-75

Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread which is the Passover the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where He would have them prepare for the Passover? They were instructed to go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The Master said, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.” (Matthew 26:17-18).

The disciples did as Jesus had appointed them and made ready for the Passover. When the evening came Jesus sat down with the twelve. While they were eating Jesus told them that one of them would betray Him. (Matthew 27:19-21).
They were exceeding sorrowful, and every one of them asked unto him, Lord, is it I? Jesus answered and said, “He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.” (Matthew 27:22-25).
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. (Matthew 27:25-29).
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said unto them, All you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. (Matthew 27:30-32).

Peter answered and said unto him, Even though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said to Peter that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me three times. All of the disciples agreed they should die with Jesus. (Matthew 27:32-35).
Then cometh Jesus with the disciples unto a place called Gethsemane, and said unto the disciples, Sit here, while I go and pray yonder. And Jesus took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Jesus said to the disciples, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: stay here, and watch with me. (Matthew 27:36-38).
When Jesus went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And when Jesus came unto the disciples, and found them asleep, and said unto Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 27:39-41).
Jesus went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (Matthew 27:42-44).
Jesus came to his disciples, and said unto them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.”(Matthew 27:45-46).
While Jesus spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Judas gave them a sign saying “Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.” Judas came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. Jesus said unto Judas, “Friend, why have you come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (Matthew 27:47-50).
One of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put your sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 27:51-52).
Jesus reminded them that He could now pray to His Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. (Matthew 27:53-56).
They laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. (Matthew 27:57-58).
The chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; They found no one who would bear many false witnesses then there came two that would bear false witnesses, who said that Jesus said that He was able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. The high priest arose, and said unto Jesus, are you not going to answer anything? (Matthew 27:59-62).
Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I demand you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said unto him, You have said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 27:63-64).
Then the high priest tore the clothes of Jesus, saying, He has spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now we have heard his blasphemy. That found Jesus guilty of death. They then spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, you Christ, Who is he that smote you? (Matthew 27:65-68).
Peter sat outside in the palace: and a lardy came unto him, saying, you also were with Jesus of Galilee. But Peter denied being with Jesus and said he did not know Him. When Peter was gone out into the porch, another lady saw him, and said unto them that were there, this fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again Peter denied with an oath, I do not know the man. (Matthew 27:69-72).
They came unto Peter and stood by him and said that his speech betrays him. Then Peter began to curse and to swear, that he does not know Jesus; immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him,” Before the cock crow, you shall deny me three times. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. (Matthew 27:69-75).

Joanne Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and Author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is a graduate of Psychology/Christian and Bible Counseling with Liberty University. She is well-known as a counselor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on historical development of Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults.